The University of West Florida earned its highest position to date in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best College rankings, placing No. 6 among Top Public Schools – Regional South. This marks the University’s fourth consecutive year in the top 10 public institutions in the region.

“We are proud to see UWF recognized at its highest ranking yet, a reflection of our exceptional programs, dedicated faculty and staff, and outstanding students,” said UWF Interim President Manny Diaz Jr. “This achievement underscores our continued momentum and commitment to excellence. We are grateful to our Board of Trustees, the Florida Board of Governors and the Florida Legislature for their support in helping us reach new heights.”

UWF also ranked in the top 10 in the Best Colleges for Veterans – Regional Universities South category, coming in at No. 6. This is the fourth consecutive year ranked in the top 10 in the category, climbing three spots from No. 9. UWF supports veterans, active-duty service members and their dependents through the Military and Veterans Resource Center, now part of the Office of Military Services. The MVRC serves as the central advocate for military-affiliated students, coordinating with University offices to provide assistance with VA education benefits, tuition assistance, fee waivers, academic advising and tutoring. UWF is also consistently recognized as a Military Friendly® School, reflecting its ongoing commitment to the success of military and veteran students.

UWF rose to No. 14 in the Regional Universities South category, advancing nine spots from last year’s No. 23. The University also earned recognition with Best Undergraduate program badges in psychology and nursing.

U.S. News & World Report bases its rankings by comparing institutions across the nation on multiple diverse academic measures. This is the 41st year for the rankings.

For more information about the University of West Florida, visit uwf.edu. For more information about U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit usnews.com.

In an inspiring show of leadership and compassion, the University of West Florida’s Nursing Living Learning Community is spreading love and joy this Valentine’s Day season to senior citizens at a local rehabilitation center. The initiative, which involves UWF pre-nursing students handcrafting heartfelt valentine cards, aims to uplift the spirits of residents while also emphasizing the importance of social impact within the nursing profession.

The Nursing LLC, launched in the Fall of 2024 with the support of a generous grant from Florida Blue, offers a unique opportunity for nursing students to combine academic learning with community service. Students live and learn together, participating in activities that reinforce their studies while also giving back to the community. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the students took that mission to heart by creating personalized cards to brighten the lives of area seniors.

“This project is an excellent example of how nursing students can make a real difference in the lives of others, even in simple ways,” said Dr. Rebecca Toothaker, assistant professor and Nursing LLC Director. “By participating in activities like this, our students are learning firsthand the importance of empathy, patient-centered care, and the power of human connection. It’s a great reminder that nursing is about much more than just knowledge; it’s about making meaningful connections with those we serve.”

The valentines were delivered to residents at Arcadia Health and Rehabilitation Center in Pensacola, a gesture that goes beyond just spreading holiday cheer. The effort highlights the Nursing LLC’s commitment to community engagement, an essential aspect of UWF’s nursing program. As part of their curriculum, students are encouraged to focus on the well-being of their community, and initiatives like these are an integral part of that education.

“I’ve dedicated myself to the field of nursing because it gives me the opportunity to serve, heal and cherish my community,” said first-year pre-nursing student Mekenzie Dixon. “Spreading love to the residents of our local rehabilitation center represents the core values of nursing and provides us, as pre-nursing students, with one of our first experiences in serving our community.”

The Nursing LLC’s Valentine’s Day card project is just one of many community outreach initiatives the students have participated in since the program’s inception. Thanks to Florida Blue’s support, the LLC is able to continue to make a significant impact both in and out of the classroom. The grant has helped fund academic opportunities, preparing students to become compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals.

The Nursing LLC’s Valentine’s Day efforts serve as a beautiful reminder of the power of small acts of kindness and how students at UWF are not only preparing for their careers but also making meaningful contributions to the community they will soon serve. For these nursing students, the experience is one that will stay with them long after graduation, as they continue to lead with compassion, care and a heart full of purpose.

“My grandparents are back home in Maryland, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Valentine’s Day joy to the residents of the rehabilitation center,” said first-year pre-nursing student Zachary Gruzs. “As a pre-nursing student, I will value this incredible experience as I progress through my journey as an aspiring healthcare professional.”

For more information about the UWF Nursing LLC, visit uwf.edu/nursingllc.

The University of West Florida School of Nursing topped the state and national averages for 2024, as 97.67% of its graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, known as NCLEX-RN, on their first attempt. UWF graduates earned the second highest percentage passage rate in the State University System of Florida. UWF Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates surpassed the national and state averages for first-time pass rate. For the first two quarters, UWF School of Nursing graduates posted a 100% pass rate. 129 UWF nursing graduates earned their license last year by passing the NCLEX-RN.

“High student success rates don’t happen by chance — they are the result of hard work and educational excellence,” said Dr. David Bellar, dean of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. “We are proud to provide an education that equips students with the skills and confidence to excel in their careers and make a lasting impact in healthcare.”

In addition to academic excellence in the classroom, the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health provides experiential learning opportunities for nursing students through several partnerships with local hospitals and healthcare organizations. Nursing students refine their clinical skills in state-of-the-art simulation labs at local Santa Rosa Medical Center and Ascension Sacred Heart facilities. These immersive experiences build students’ confidence, enhance critical thinking, and support the achievement of consistently high NCLEX pass rates.

“The success of our students is a testament to their dedication, the tireless efforts of our faculty, community support from local partnerships, and the strong leadership within the college,” said Renee Davis, who was recently hired as the new director for UWF’s School of Nursing. “Our faculty take pride in providing a rigorous and supportive learning environment which allows our students’ hard work and determination to shine. It’s their commitment that ultimately drives their success.”

The need for skilled nurses is expected to increase over the next decade. The registered nursing shortage in Florida is projected to go from 11,500 to 37,400 RNs by 2035 based on data from the Florida Physician and Nursing Workforce report commissioned by the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida.

For more information about the UWF School of Nursing, visit uwf.edu/nursing.

University of West Florida Usha Kundu, MD College of Health students are using their education and passion in public health to make a real difference in the community through a newly launched Community Impact Project initiative.

Dr. Sallie Shipman, lecturer in the UWF School of Nursing, joined UWF in Fall 2024 and had the opportunity to implement the initiative at the University, after seeing its successful outcomes  during her time at the University of Florida and the University of Alabama Birmingham. At the beginning of the fall semester, students in her population health course were assigned a community partner to work with and the students asked the community provider what they can do to help them address health challenges or concerns. Next, students developed a semester-long project to serve those needs.

“It was easy to make this work here at UWF and in Northwest Florida with all the wonderful sites and partners we have,” Shipman said. “The best part about this is that it provides students with hands-on experience while also helping the community. It’s a great opportunity to make a difference in the world.”

From September through November, 41 undergraduate students worked with 8 local providers on 10 projects ranging from improving access to prenatal care to balancing nutrition on a budget for the homeless. Each project identified a problem, created a solution based on the evidence and implemented a conclusion.

Shipman and three other faculty assisted students with the collaborative Community Impact Project. Over the course of the semester, students spent 40 hours working with their agencies to develop curricula and material for a sustainable project, some of which are being continued this semester.

At the Bayview Senior Resource Center, students worked on a project to educate older adults about healthy food choices and proper dietary adherence. A flyer was created for a vital sign screening event at the center, and the group of students created an instructional cookbook that included simple healthy recipes, dietary recommendations and food label interpretation. A cooking class and educational event was conducted at the center with the aim of improving health outcomes of older adults with diabetes and heart disease.

“After multiple meetings, research and brainstorming sessions, we realized that hosting a cooking class for the senior citizens who utilized the center would offer us a unique opportunity to combine great food and good company with education,” said Toni Koehler, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Fall 2024. “Specifically, we aimed to empower our attendees with easy-to-understand nutritional information to help them make healthier dietary choices. We hosted our International Cooking Class, featuring our group member Nympha Hixson’s lumpia recipe, where we gave a presentation on the role that good dietary choices play when managing chronic health conditions, taught the attendees how to make lumpia at home, and distributed various forms of the informational cookbook we created. While this project, like any other, came with its challenges, I was grateful to have an opportunity to give back to the local community. Under the stewardship of Dr. Shipman, Dr. Mutchler, and the extraordinary employees of the Bayview Senior Center, we assisted our local community in such a lasting way. For that, I am genuinely thankful.”

To learn more about the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, visit uwf.edu/ukcoh.

Santa Rosa Medical Center and the University of West Florida held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 12, 2024, to launch a new state-of-the-art Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing space located at Santa Rosa Medical Center.

The program is designed for individuals who hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to pursue a career in nursing and become a registered nurse. The Simulation Training and Resource, or STAR, Center will provide UWF nursing students with the ability to experience hands-on learning in a safe and controlled environment. 

“The STAR Center at Santa Rosa Medical Center represents a collaborative effort to prepare future nurses for the challenges of modern healthcare,” said Dr. David Bellar, dean of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. “By focusing on hands-on, immersive training, this space empowers our master’s-level students to build confidence and competence, ensuring they are ready to meet the needs of patients and communities.”

Sim education helps students transition to professional nursing practice by improving communication skills, participating as a healthcare team member, managing complex health situations and understanding interpersonal relations. 

“I am proud of our team and this partnership with UWF to bring this program to life in six months,” said Mike Nordness, interim CEO, Santa Rosa Medical Center. “It shows the commitment from both organizations to education and healthcare in our region.”

The STAR Center provides two simulation suites that closely replicate hospital rooms designed for medical-surgical and critical care scenarios. These suites are equipped with high-fidelity manikins, offering students a realistic, hands-on learning environment. The center also features a medication/supply room, creating a setting that mirrors real-world clinical practice to enhance the training experience.

Each simulation suite includes audio and video recording systems to support debriefing sessions, allowing students to reflect on their performance and improve their clinical skills. The learning lab includes high-fidelity pediatric and adult manikins along with task trainers, giving students opportunities to practice and build essential nursing competencies.

The STAR Center also has a multipurpose room, designed for debriefing sessions and immersive virtual reality simulations, providing students with innovative and dynamic learning experiences.

The registered nursing shortage in Florida is projected to increase from 11,500 to 37,400 registered nurses by 2035 based on data from the Florida Physician and Nursing Workforce report commissioned by the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida. Partnerships, like this one, aim to help combat this shortage. 

For more information about the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, visit uwf.edu/ukcoh.

For more information about the Santa Rosa Medical Center, visit srmcfl.com.

WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024

TIME: 3:15 p.m.

WHERE: Santa Rosa Medical Center
5992 Berryhill Road
Milton, FL 32570

For Army Lt. Col. Brandy Clayton, retirement after 24 years of active duty brought some uncertainties about her future along with some things she knew for sure. She knew she wanted to put her experience as a military nurse educator to work in the civilian sector after retirement. Originally from Fort Walton Beach, she also knew she wanted to call the Gulf Coast home again.

The Department of Defense SkillBridge program laid the groundwork for how to make it all happen. SkillBridge connects military-to-civilian retiring and transitioning service members with industry partners to gain valuable civilian work experience through specific industry training, apprenticeships or internships during their last 180 days of service.

For service members, SkillBridge provides an invaluable chance to work and learn in civilian career roles. For industry partners, the program provides opportunities to access and leverage the military’s highly trained and skilled workforce at no cost. Service members participating in SkillBridge programs continue receiving military compensation and benefits, while industry partners provide civilian training and work experience.

Last year, Clayton reached out to Dr. Crystal Bennett, director of UWF’s School of Nursing housed in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, to see if the SkillBridge program might be a possibility at UWF.

“I met with Dr. Clayton and discussed the objectives she wanted to achieve with the program,” Bennett said. “Because of her Ph.D., it gave her a wide range of opportunities within the School of Nursing.”

Bennett recommended the University’s new Entry Into Practice (Direct Entry) Nursing, MSN program as the ideal setting for her SkillBridge internship and connected Clayton with Dr. Tricia Huey and Dr. Tina Barbour-Taylor.

“Dr. Bennett told me, ‘I would love for you to kind of get in and really see how things are going to be working with this program because it’s really new and you’re going to learn a lot,” Clayton said.

Since last October, Clayton has shadowed and collaborated with faculty, participated in student teaching, attended committee and faculty meetings, helped proctor tests and assisted in skills labs and simulations.

“From my very first visit to UWF, I received the biggest, warm welcome from everybody,” Clayton said. “I have enjoyed everything that I have been able to do here through the SkillBridge program and have been able to take what I learned as a nurse educator in the military and enhance that knowledge with the experiences and perspective I’ve gained here at the University.”

In December, Clayton went through the faculty search committee process, applying for and earning an assistant professor of clinical practice faculty position at UWF.

“Dr. Clayton has a broad range of knowledge and clinical expertise that she can teach across multiple courses,” Bennett said. “She embodies what it means to be a nursing professional and models accountability, integrity and the Nurses Code of Ethics for our students.”

Lori Milkeris, director of UWF’s Military & Veterans Resource Center said programs like SkillBridge and resources provided through the MVRC are essential to the academic and career success of active duty service members, veterans and military-affiliated students.

“The DoD SkillBridge program serves as a win-win for both transitioning service members and employers,” Milkeris said. “It assists with a smoother transition into civilian life while providing businesses with access to skilled and motivated talent. By allowing service members to work in civilian jobs before separating from the military, SkillBridge helps them adjust to the civilian work environment and culture, reducing the shock of their new norm.”

Clayton encourages anyone facing the transition from military to civilian careers to consider participating in the SkillBridge program.

“We learn certain skills in the military that will be different in the civilian world,” Clayton said.  “SkillBridge helps us gain the knowledge and experience necessary to successfully merge into our new career roles.”

For more information about UWF’s School of Nursing, visit uwf.edu/nursing.

“The national rankings by U.S. News and World Report reflect UWF’s unwavering commitment to providing dynamic academic programs that prepare students to achieve their career and life goals,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “It is a testament to our laser focus on meeting the varied needs of our students and the dedication of the University’s world-class faculty.”

UWF received recognition in the following categories for Best Online Programs: Bachelor’s; Master’s Criminal Justice; MBA; Master’s Business (Non-MBA); Master’s Computer Information Technology; Master’s Nursing; and Master’s Education.

U.S. News and World Report Online College rankings also rank the best online programs for veterans, measuring veteran or active duty enrollment in the program and the institution’s GI Bill® certification. UWF was ranked 30th among Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans and also ranked for Best Online Programs for Veterans in the following categories: MBA; Master’s Computer Information Technology; Master’s Nursing and Master’s Education.

In the Master’s Nursing category, UWF ranked No. 15 for Veterans and was the only university in the Florida State University System to rank on the Master’s Nursing – Veterans list. UWF works to ensure the needs of military, dependent and veteran students through the UWF Military & Veterans Resource Center. The Center assists with VA education benefits, active duty tuition assistance, out-of-state fee waiver, academic advising coordination and tutoring.

The rankings assessed more than 1,750 distance education bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Only fully online degree programs, from entry to completion of the academic year, are included in the rankings.

A trailblazer in the online education space, UWF launched its first fully online degree program in Fall 1998. These rankings highlight the University’s continued commitment to online educational excellence as well as its strong support for veteran and active duty students.

For more information about the University of West Florida, visit uwf.edu. For more information about U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit usnews.com.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Ascension Sacred Heart and the University of West Florida (UWF) will begin a strategic initiative that allows 16 upper-level Bachelor of Science in Nursing students to complete the final three semesters of their clinical and classroom time on Sacred Heart Pensacola’s campus.

With the Florida Center of Nursing estimating a sharp decline in registered nurses by 2025, this initiative will serve as the foundation for a long-term commitment to the communities across Northwest Florida by preparing the next generation of nurses and maintaining a pipeline of local talent ready to care for the Pensacola community.

Sacred Heart has planned to invest $228,000 for the first cohort of students, with tentative plans to continue the program. That initial gift amount will also be matched by the state’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) fund. 

“Sacred Heart’s investment in UWF’s nursing program is significant in both size and scope, and emphasizes the value UWF can play in meeting the nursing shortage,” said Dr. Gary Liguori, UWF provost and senior vice president. “The creation of healthcare provider-university partnerships is critical to meet the current and future needs of the local healthcare workforce, and Sacred Heart’s commitment to UWF will keep that pipeline strong for many years to come.”

“We are blessed to be able to provide additional support to our local nursing students and the University of West Florida in this collaborative way,” said President of Sacred Heart Pensacola Will Condon. “It’s in the best interest of our community that we continue to cultivate and support our nurses of tomorrow in every way possible.” 

Funding from Sacred Heart will supplement funding for student scholarships and faculty stipends for this unique education opportunity which is the first of its kind at UWF.

This hands-on experience provides unique opportunities to work with vulnerable populations across Northwest Florida and help support community engagement as incoming nursing professionals receive the necessary skills and relationships to succeed in the field.

The University of West Florida Usha Kundu, MD College of Health has acquired three technologically-advanced anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tables, enhancing learning experiences for anatomy and physiology, nursing and athletic training students. The Anatomage Tables have large, fully interactive, multi-touch screens which provide students the opportunity to learn about the complex systems and structures of the human body.

“This technology will revolutionize how we teach anatomy to the students in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health,” said Dr. David Bellar, dean of the college.

The tables display scanned, high-resolution 3D images of four different, full-size human cadavers, and allow students to examine the diseases or conditions that were present for each at the time of death. Users can view anatomy from all angles with a rotation tool and a virtual scalpel allows users to dissect the cadaver.

Dr. Kelley Henderson, director of UWF’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program and associate professor of clinical practice, said the tables provide the University an affordable alternative to manikin cadavers and offer faculty an exciting new way to teach students about the human body through problem-based learning.

“Understanding anatomy is a vital component to our athletic training program and having access to these tables will improve our students’ experience in numerous courses,” Henderson said. “The Anatomage tables elevate the MSAT to another level of rigor and will serve as an essential marketing component for all of our programs.”

The tables allow faculty to present case studies; create and record animations and demonstrations; build games and quizzes for playback on the tables; and save those elements for future use and to share with other faculty members. 

Athletic Training graduate student Delaney Trushel said the tables are a great resource to help students learn their course materials. “The most impressive feature to me is that you can pick exactly what you want to see based on the topics you are discussing in class,” Trushel said. “If we are learning about the muscles in the lower body, we can choose to only see the muscles in that region, which allows us to get a very detailed look.” 

For more information about the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, visit uwf.edu/ukcoh.

University of West Florida Usha Kundu, MD College of Health School of Nursing students graduating this semester will be among the first who had practice stepping into real-life scenarios during their entire academic career.

In Fall 2021, UWF’s School of Nursing started the process of acquiring UbiSim with funding provided by a high-impact grant. The grant was used to purchase a subscription of the virtual reality platform with unlimited usage and covered the cost of five Oculus headsets.

“When we first received UbiSim, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic and it was very helpful because it was when our students weren’t in the hospital,” said Dr. Tina Barbour-Taylor, lecturer in UWF’s School of Nursing. “It provides them with an immersive environment.”

The platform allows students to focus on specific interests, like heart disease or kidney disease and during participation, students are inside a patient room virtually as if they were in a hospital room, with oxygen bags and IV pumps to monitor. 

A systemic grant, following the initial high-impact practice grant, allowed the School of Nursing to acquire 41 additional headsets in Spring 2022. School of Nursing staff also partnered with the John C. Pace Library on campus so that students in the nursing program could check out the equipment to use on their own time.

“We’re bridging theory to practice and students really enjoy it because it makes it fun to learn,” Barbour-Taylor said. “It develops critical thinking and prioritization skills, and that’s the most important thing.”

With UbiSim, students can experience critical situations that they might not encounter during their clinicals at a hospital.

“This allows students to explore their weaknesses,” said Dr. Jill Van Der Like, director, Nursing Skills & Simulation Learning Center. “It opens up clinical opportunities and experiential learning experiences.”

Van Der Like says 30% of nurses are leaving within a year of their first job and she believes this competency-based learning opportunity can help students feel more confident in the workplace.

“If talking in public makes you nervous, you have to practice, you have to get good at it, just like nursing; you have to practice, because you have to deliver,” Van Der Like said.

Wyatt Adams, who will graduate in May and has accepted a nurse position at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, said UbiSim has helped him put into practice what he learned in the classroom and has prepared him for situations he will encounter in the future.

“It’s unique because you can do what you can’t do in the hospital, which is make situations happen,” Adams said. “It really helped me in knowing when to ask questions. I’ve never been someone to ask too many questions and now I feel like I know when to ask for help. It helped with the teamwork aspect of nursing.”

The platform has also provided an opportunity for local high school students to see the innovative technology that UWF has to offer. So far, five high schools have visited the lab. Van Der Like says they are thankful the technology has opened new opportunities for the School of Nursing to connect with the community in such exciting and meaningful ways.

To learn more about the UWF School of Nursing, visit uwf.edu/nursing.

As Chandra Douglas was poised to deliver her baby at Sacred Heart Hospital in 1997, the nurses begged her to hold those last pushes until the doctor could get there. In the nick of time, Dr. Usha Kundu appeared, donned her gloves and in moments announced, “It’s a boy!” Neither doctor nor patient could have imagined how fate would cross their paths again decades later.

For Erik Blount-Douglas, a career in nursing seemed a natural choice. “As a child, he was always bringing home injured animals,” said his mother Chandra. “Whether it was the dog with three legs, the cat who was blind or the bird with a broken wing. He was a very caring child who always wanted to help others.” 

After becoming a certified nursing assistant while a senior in high school, Erik later earned his licensed practical nursing and registered nursing degrees. “When people find out I’m an R.N., they remark on the great salaries for nursing,” Erik said. “That is true, but I have always believed you can’t put a price on saving someone’s life. You can’t put a price on making someone feel better.”

Last year, Erik took the advice of several colleagues and chose to pursue his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through the online program at the University of West Florida. 

“I was working at Baptist Hospital’s Emergency Trauma Center and loved the challenge of using my critical thinking skills to provide the best possible care for my patients,” Erik said. “But I also wanted to take the next step in my education. Despite the challenges, I knew if I put my best foot forward, I could be successful at both.”

In November, Erik began experiencing hearing loss and nosebleeds. While working in the emergency room one evening, a particularly severe nosebleed led to a CT scan which revealed a tumor in his nasal cavity. A biopsy determined the tumor was malignant and stunningly, Erik was diagnosed with stage 3 head and neck cancer. He was plunged into the rigors of chemotherapy and radiation.

In the days following his diagnosis, Erik questioned his ability to meet the demands of nursing school while conquering the medical mountain ahead of him. “I ultimately just told myself, ‘My mother didn’t raise a quitter. I can do this!’ She taught me that whatever I’m doing, I’d better be the best at it,” Erik said.

Deciding it was not in him to give up on school or his work, Erik used his long days in chemotherapy to study, research and write papers for his nursing courses. On days without treatments, he continued his work in the ER. Not surprising to anyone who knows him, he made the Fall 2022 dean’s list, an accolade for high-achieving students earning a semester GPA of 3.50 to 3.89. And that is where Erik’s story comes full circle.

One name on Erik’s dean’s list letter jumped to his mother’s attention. It was the UWF Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. “I told Erik, ‘This is the doctor that delivered you! This is our Dr. Kundu!’”

Chandra said it wasn’t surprising that Dr. Kundu’s generosity has expanded to educating future medical professionals at UWF. “Her giving spirit was right there all those years ago when she was my doctor. She spent time with me to understand my needs. She genuinely cared for me as a patient and a person. That is such a special trait in a doctor. It comes straight from the heart.”

After growing up in rural India, Dr. Usha Kundu opened her medical practice in Pensacola in 1983 and was the area’s first female obstetrician and gynecologist. Central to Kundu’s philosophy as a physician was giving her absolute best to every patient. “I always tried to put myself in the position of my patients and treat them as I would like to be treated,” Kundu said. “I approached my patients as individuals and took time to explain their care plans and answer their questions.”

Kundu said making time for providing compassionate care in the current healthcare climate is more important than ever. “As doctors, we cannot be the stewards for our patients we are called to be without empathy and understanding,” Kundu said. “It is essential to ensuring patients’ best outcomes.” 

This philosophy for patient care is one shared by Erik. “As nurses, patients come to us at their most vulnerable,” he said. “They don’t understand what is happening to them and why. If they have a thousand questions, I answer a thousand. I want every one of my patients to know that they are important. That I care about them.”

Erik said Dr. Kundu is a source of inspiration to him. “She took such amazing care of my mother and me and has supported future generations of UWF students through her generosity to the College of Health that now bears her name,” he said. “I am to-the-moon happy that one of her babies is now one of her successors in the medical profession. My way of saying thank you to her is by continuing my education and being the best I can be, regardless of my challenges.”

Kundu said Erik’s story of strength and determination should serve as a blueprint for other students facing adversity. “What a remarkable young man he is. I am proud of how he is courageously facing life’s challenges while still working hard to achieve his goals. I know he will continue to serve as a blessing to his patients and an inspiration to all.”

For now, Erik optimistically faces his prognosis in true “Erik” fashion. “Yes, I have cancer,” he said. “Yes, I have had to put some of the things I love to do on pause. But soon these hard times will be a distant memory. When I have beaten cancer and reached the goal of obtaining my degree, I won’t remember the hardships. I’ll be too busy celebrating.”

For Chandra, the full circle journey for Erik and Dr. Kundu has brought back a lot of fond memories and been something special to celebrate. “Dr. Kundu always treated me with dignity and respect and took such good care of Erik and me,” Chandra said. “I’d like to tell her thank you. And look at the incredible person you helped bring into this world!”

For more information about the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health visit uwf.edu/ukcoh.

University of West Florida Usha Kundu, MD College of Health nursing and health sciences students and faculty learned first-hand how to manage a disaster during a mass casualty drill on Oct. 21. UWF teamed up with the Santa Rosa Medical Center, Santa Rosa Emergency Management and LifeGuard to simulate a response to a mass shooting. Santa Rosa Medical Center staff planned the drill and reached out to Usha Kundu, MD College of Health staff to invite students to participate in it.

“This hands-on experience will offer our nursing and health sciences students insight into how to respond, triage and treat future patients who may come from a mass casualty incident,” said Dean Bellar. “It’s important our students participate in these types of scenarios to test their responses to large-scale incidents and how they might work under an emergency situation.”

Led by Usha Kundu, MD College of Health faculty Drs. Crystal Bennett, Cynthia Smith Peters, Angela Hahn and Andrea Nelson, students received experiential training on how response efforts are organized; and the components of triage, emergency and mass casualty response. Through active participation, students served as mock patients and family members to help medical staff work through scenarios. Working alongside staff members, students experienced first-hand how medical staff respond, organize and work through systems in case of a disaster event. They also participated in a Q&A session with staff members, including the CEO, to help them learn critical information regarding disaster recovery. The Usha Kundu, MD College of Health has held these types of mock events on a small scale on campus. This drill marked the first time that UWF was involved in a large-scale event with members of the community. 

 “As one of the volunteers I was able to watch all of the medical disciplines come together to quickly assess, analyze and triage the victims of this event,” said senior public health nursing student Talia Ambrosio-Earle. “I quickly noted that communication was a key factor in the operation’s success as each medical professional ensured that each and every patient they could save was cared for. Hands on events like this really allow me to apply my nursing knowledge from the classroom into practice. I’m really appreciative to have been a part of such an informative event in the community.”

All hospital departments, including Santa Rosa Medical Center’s freestanding emergency department in Pace, participated in the exercise. The drill provided a unique opportunity for students, EMS professionals and medical professionals to work together. 

“Emergency preparedness drills help to ensure that our hospital remains ready to provide coordinated response activities in the event of an unexpected disaster,” said Justin Serrano, interim Chief Executive Officer for Santa Rosa Medical Center. “It is an opportunity to test the system and use focused observations to enhance our preparedness plans. We are truly excited to conduct this exercise with student volunteers from the University of West Florida who have all been working hard in their respective training programs to learn the skills that will enable them to care for their community at facilities like ours.” 

For more information about Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, visit uwf.edu/ukcoh.

The University of West Florida was ranked in the top 10 public institutions in the region by U.S. News & World Report, which released its 2023 Best Colleges rankings on Sept. 12. 

“These rankings reflect the world class faculty, supportive staff and robust programming we have here,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “At UWF, we remain steadfast in our efforts. We are pleased to continue earning recognition in many areas by U.S. News and World Report.”  

U.S. News & World Report awarded UWF five Best Colleges award badges as symbols of excellence. UWF received badges for ranking among the top regional universities in the South in the following categories: Regional University South; Regional Public University South; Social Mobility; Best Colleges for Veterans; and Undergraduate Nursing. 

Since opening its doors to students in the fall of 1967, UWF has grown to a comprehensive regional university recognized nationally for excellence in diversity, academics, athletics and employee satisfaction. 

UWF generates more than $1.1 billion in total annual sales for the regional economy and approximately $703 million in gross domestic product. With approximately 14,000 students, 3,000 faculty and staff and 30,000 local alumni, the University provides a steady supply of consumers, community volunteers and skilled workforce to fill critical roles in regional businesses, hospitals and schools.

U.S. News & World Report bases its rankings by comparing institutions across the nation on 17 diverse academic measures. This is the 38th year for the rankings. 

For more information about the University of West Florida, visit uwf.edu. For more information about U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit usnews.com.

The University of West Florida ranked among the best in the nation in the prestigious 2022 U.S. News and World Report Best Online College rankings. UWF ranked 59th among 361 institutions for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and 35th for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans in the rankings released on Jan. 25.

“Each year, these rankings highlight UWF’s dedication to offering the best online programs for students across the globe,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “We’ve made it a priority to provide the one-of-a-kind UWF experience both on campus and online. Our success shows through the recognitions we receive from U.S. News & World Report and others.”

UWF received recognition in the following categories for Best Online Programs: Bachelor’s; MBA; Master’s Business (Non-MBA); Master’s Computer Information Technology; Master’s Education; and Master’s Nursing.

U.S. News and World Report Online College rankings also rank best online programs for veterans, measuring veteran or active duty enrollment in the program and the institution’s GI Bill® certification. UWF was ranked 20th among Best Online Nursing Master’s Program for Veterans and was the only Florida State University System institution included in the list. UWF also ranked for Best Online Programs for Veterans in the following categories: Bachelor’s; MBA; Master’s Business (Non-MBA); Master’s Computer Information Technology; and Master’s Education.

The rankings evaluate more than 1,600 distance education bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Only fully online degree programs, from entry to completion of the academic year, are included in the rankings.

UWF offers over 50 different undergraduate and graduate online programs, as well as credit-earning certificate programs. UWF launched its first fully online degree program, offering a master’s degree in instructional technology within the College of Education and Professional Studies, in Fall 1998, when the World Wide Web was just eight years old.

In September 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked UWF among the top 20 public regional institutions in the South and awarded the University five Best Colleges badges in the following categories: Regional University South; Regional Public University South; Social Mobility; Best Colleges for Veterans; and Undergraduate Nursing.

For more information about U.S. World News & World Report rankings, visit usnews.com/best-colleges. For more information about the University of West Florida, visit uwf.edu.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.

The University of West Florida was ranked in the top 20 public institutions in the region by U.S. News & World Report, which released its 2022 Best Colleges rankings on Sept. 13.

“These rankings reflect the world class faculty, supportive staff and robust programming we have here,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “At UWF, we remain steadfast in our efforts. We are pleased to continue earning recognition in many areas by U.S. News and World Report.”  

U.S. News & World Report awarded UWF five Best Colleges award badges as symbols of excellence. UWF received badges for ranking among the top regional universities in the South in the following categories: Regional University South; Regional Public University South; Social Mobility; Best Colleges for Veterans; and Undergraduate Nursing. 

Undergraduate nursing is a new category added this year, in light of growing interest in the field. To be included in the rankings, a nursing school or department needed a program accredited at the bachelor’s level by either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. It also needed to be a regionally accredited institution that awarded at least 35 BSN degrees, according to 2018-2019 data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. 

The UWF School of Nursing topped state and national averages for 2020 by wide margins, with 95.97% of its graduates passing the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurses on their first attempt. UWF surpassed the national average for first-time pass rate by over five percentage points and exceeded the state mark by nearly 10 points. 

“We are delighted to be recognized as a top undergraduate nursing program,” said Dr. Crystal Bennett, director of UWF’s School of Nursing. “We have an outstanding team of faculty and staff who support our nursing students. Our dedicated faculty provide exceptional instruction preparing graduates for a successful nursing career. “

UWF ranked in the top 15 Best Colleges for Veterans, recognizing institutions that participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees. UWF is well known in the region for its support for veterans, active-duty service members and their dependents through the Military & Veterans Resource Center. 

The MVRC serves as a leading campus advocate for military, dependents and veteran students, coordinating with multiple university offices and services to ensure their needs are met. The Center provides assistance with VA education benefits, active duty tuition assistance, out-of-state fee waiver, academic advising coordination, and tutoring. 

U.S. News & World Report bases its rankings by comparing institutions across the nation on 17 diverse academic measures. Changes to the rankings methodology this year include the introduction of two outcome measures pertaining to graduate indebtedness and reduced weight in the rankings to SAT/ACT scores, high school class standing and alumni giving rates. Only institutions that grant bachelor’s degrees are eligible. This is the 37th year for the rankings.

For more information about the University of West Florida, visit uwf.edu. For more information about U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit usnews.com.

University of West Florida nursing students are on the front line of the vaccination effort in Northwest Florida, administering vaccines to priority individuals. Since February, 54 nursing students have administered vaccinations at various locations throughout the area in partnership with Ascension Sacred Heart and the Escambia County Health Department.

The BSN students work under the supervision of UWF School of Nursing faculty and are paired with licensed professionals. The clinics offer nursing students a way to get hands-on experience and give back to the community.

“The impact is not lost on me,” said Gunner Locklin, a senior nursing student. “I was encouraged that so many were interested in receiving the vaccine and by how efficient the process was. Seeing how many people it really takes to make things like this happen, and the logistics involved, was humbling and inspiring.”

Nursing faculty Dr. Ida Montgomery, Dr. Kathy Andresen, Davisa Banks, Dr. Cynthia Smith Peters, Vicki Beaugh and Christina Rials assisted second and third semester students at the Escambia County Department of Health and Ascension Sacred Heart Clinics.

“The patients were so thankful that we were there on a Saturday,” Montgomery said. “The students rotated stations and did everything from screening patients, helping them fill out forms, administering more than 500 vaccines in a day and monitoring patients after the vaccine.”

Smith Peters has been coordinating the events.

“Students will continue to help as long as the need is there and their schedules can be accommodated,” Smith Peters said.

The most recent event was held March 17 at Milton Community Center. UWF nursing students are operating on an on-call schedule as vaccinations come in.

“Our partnership with UWF has been extremely beneficial,” said FDOH-Escambia Administrator Marie Mott. “In addition to providing the vaccines, UWF’s nursing students also assist in directing traffic and monitoring patients for any potential side effects after they receive the vaccine. We are grateful for this partnership which both enables us to help build the health care workforce and allows our staff to continue supporting COVID-19 prevention needed to mitigate community spread and risk of infection to others.”

For more information about the School of Nursing, visit uwf.edu/nursing.

The University of West Florida School of Nursing topped the state and national averages for 2020 by wide margins, as 95.97% of its graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurses on their first attempt. UWF surpassed the national average for first-time pass rate by over five percentage points and exceeded the state mark by nearly 10 points. 

NCLEX-RN is a nationwide examination for the licensing of registered nurses. Each board of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories—American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands—requires college graduates to pass the exam for their nursing license. In 2020, 119 UWF nursing graduates earned their license by passing the NCLEX. 

“Locally, hospital administrators have indicated to us that they need our graduates,” said Dr. Crystal Bennett, interim chair of the UWF School of Nursing which is housed in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. “There is a need for more nurses and we graduate quality nurses each year. Our nursing graduates are committed to providing a high level of patient care, with a wealth of knowledge they gained during their studies at UWF.”

The number of registered nurses in the U.S. is approximately 4 million, topping all other health care professions, according to the American Nurses Association. Bennett  pointed out that the average age of RNs is 48-50 and that preparing future generations to fill looming vacancies is crucial for the U.S. health care system. The median salary for RNs is $73,300 and job growth is expected to increase by 7% during the next eight years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

“It has never been more important to ensure that we have a well-prepared nursing workforce,” said Cynde Gamache, system chief nursing officer and vice president of ancillary and patient care services for Baptist Health Care. “We need nurses with the necessary skills to meet the health care needs of our community and fulfill our mission of helping people throughout life’s journey. We are grateful that UWF nursing graduates have the preparation, solid foundation and skills for successful transition into the clinical practice setting.”

In February, Dr. D.W. McMillan BSN Nursing Program alumna Madison Rondeau ’20 passed the NCLEX with relative ease. She credited the UWF nursing faculty for thoroughly preparing her for the exam, providing her resources throughout her studies and after she graduated.

“The UWF faculty test us at a higher standard, so when we take the exam, it’s kind of a breeze,” Rondeau said. “I love feeling so equipped and supported.”
Within days of passing the exam, Rondeau accepted a nursing position in the neonatal intensive care unit at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart. Rondeau spent the Fall 2020 semester in the NICU at Sacred Heart as part of her preceptorship.

“For my last semester of nursing school, I was able to make valuable connections and it’s by the sweet gift of God that I was offered this job,” Rondeau said. “I’m so thankful to the UWF School of Nursing for really preparing us well to be exceptional nurses.” 

For more information about the UWF School of Nursing and the different degree programs offered, visit uwf.edu/nursing.

University of West Florida freshman Brandon Lawrence describes himself as a “miracle baby.” His mother was diagnosed with advanced multiple sclerosis while pregnant with him and died from complications three days after his 5th birthday.

Lawrence lost his mother at a young age, but he said she positively influenced him in their precious few years together.

“Her body was deteriorating, but she was always comforting, always had nice things to say,” Lawrence said. “No matter the situation or environment we were in, she stayed positive.”

Lawrence approaches life with a similarly positive attitude and an unbreakable faith, which have been put to the test by countless obstacles. As a student at Southwest Florida Christian Academy in Lehigh Acres, he balanced school, football, part-time work and helping his dad care for his sister, Kayla, who suffered permanent brain damage from a failed medical procedure. Lawrence’s perseverance was awarded with an Argo Spirit Scholarship from UWF.

Offered by UWF for the first time this fall, the Argo Spirit Scholarship is the first full-ride, competitive scholarship that is not based on academic merit. It’s awarded to first-time-in-college Florida resident students who demonstrate strength of character, or “Argo Spirit.”

“Introducing the Argo Spirit Scholarship is another step toward increasing accessibility to higher education at UWF,” UWF President Martha D. Saunders said. “This scholarship is an opportunity to view a student holistically and recognize and reward scholarship recipients who have shown strength in areas in addition to academics.”

Argo Spirit entails overcoming obstacles, fighting for something important and making an impact while in high school, whether it’s through exemplary leadership, family contributions or community engagement. The scholarship clears the path to college for students like Lawrence, a pre-nursing student who is redshirting for the football team.

“Many of UWF’s undergraduate applicants are uniquely talented, often times overcoming adversity to achieve their high school degrees,” said Katie Condon, executive director for UWF undergraduate admissions. “The Argo Spirit Scholarship rewards these students who have truly defied the odds and emulate the determination and spirit upheld by UWF.”

Lawrence said he learned perseverance from his father’s unwavering commitment to his family. His father worked two full-time jobs to keep his children in private school, honoring his wife’s wishes while ensuring Kayla received around-the-clock medical care.

“You have to fight for everything in the world, no matter the struggle,” Lawrence said. “I learned from my father how to be strong and fight for what I believe in.”

Lawrence said he discovered at an early age that life isn’t always fair and he has to keep his head up when circumstances are beyond his control. He sometimes felt isolated as a child seeing other kids with both their parents and as a teenager missing out on movie nights to stay home and watch his sister while his dad worked. Lawrence credits a Bible verse from the book of Jeremiah for providing him words of encouragement through those challenging times.

But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten: Jeremiah 20:11.

UWF football provides Lawrence a brief but valuable reprieve from family tragedy. His focus shifts once he straps on his helmet and steps between the white lines for practice.

“I have all of this going on at home, but for those two hours a day it’s an escape from the stress,” Lawrence said. “It’s brought some comfort to me. Football has kept my head on straight.”

UWF Assistant Head Coach Steve Saulnier recruited Lawrence, who shone bright on the football field and in the classroom at Southwest Florida Christian Academy. Lawrence scored 11 touchdowns his senior season and was a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.6 GPA. After learning about all the obstacles Lawrence had overcome to be a standout student-athlete, Saulnier encouraged him to apply for the Argo Spirit Scholarship.

“Brandon Lawrence is a total overcomer,” Saulnier said. “With what he has to deal with and just how appreciative he is, it just shows up. He’s a real warrior. He’s well deserving of the Argo Spirit scholarship.”

Cutting-edge research on Alzheimer’s disease is uncovering new information on the early detection and treatment of patients with the disorder, and it’s taking place at the University of West Florida. Three UWF Usha Kundu, MD College of Health faculty members are at the forefront of finding new methods to combat Alzheimer’s disease through their careful study of its progression.

Dr. Crystal Bennett, lecturer of nursing; Dr. James Arruda, professor of psychology; and Dr. Youngil Lee, associate professor of movement sciences and health, are concurrently studying the disease.

Recently, former Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Health awarded UWF more than $94,000 in grant funds for Bennett’s adaptive dance Alzheimer’s research. She is studying how movement, specifically dancing, can improve the mood and physical function of elderly patients with Alzheimer’s disease by visiting local assisted living facilities and encouraging patients to get up and dance.

For Bennett, the journey to discovering new treatment options is deeply personal.

“I am passionate about improving the lives of older adults in our community,” Bennett said. “For my research to positively impact not only Alzheimer’s patients, but their caregivers, as well, brings me great joy. I lost my mother to Alzheimer’s, and her journey is what inspired me to pursue this research.”

Existing research in adaptive dancing intervention to improve physical function and quality of life in older adults is what originally led Bennett to wonder if the same could be applied to the management of Alzheimer’s disease.

“It is known that persons with Alzheimer’s Disease experience psychological changes that are challenging to manage, such as agitation. Non-pharmacologic approaches are recommended as first-line treatment for these symptoms, but often harmful medications are used instead,” Bennett said.

Adaptive dance could reduce the need for medicine. As non-pharmacological approaches gain worldwide media coverage via conferences and international journal publication, research performed at UWF assimilates with a national trend.

Arruda, a research neuropsychologist, focuses on brain-behavior relationships like those related to Alzheimer’s dementia, including mild cognitive impairment. He and his team have developed a neurophysiological marker that is selectively delayed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Arruda is working on further developing the marker, known as the flash visual evoked potential P2, to allow for the early detection and treatment of dementia brought on by Alzheimer’s dementia. His work has been published in numerous scientific journals.

“I continue to be fascinated with all aspects of the natural world, and the relationship between human behavior and brain function is of the utmost importance to me given its impact on the cognitive and affective health of individuals,” Arruda said.

Arruda’s work, along with that of his colleagues, demonstrates to the academic and medical community that contemporary, unparalleled health-related research is continuously being conducted at UWF.

Each instructor understands that Alzheimer’s is a complex, multifaceted disease. The goal for their research is to discover more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s patients and ultimately a cure of the disease.

Lee’s most recent research demonstrates how regular endurance exercise in animal models will regenerate neurons that have been destroyed by both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Through imaging conducted on the models, he found that the cell death in parts of the brain that affect memory and the autonomic nervous system decreased by roughly 40 percent after three months of treadmill exercise. His research group also found that after six weeks of running, neurons in the brain region typically targeted by the diseases begin to restore and rehabilitate.

In previous research, Lee showed that endurance exercise also protects the heart against ischemic heart disease by improving mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity. His findings on all three diseases have been published in several scientific journals.

“It is rewarding to know the ongoing research we are conducting can help find endurance exercise-mediated therapeutic strategies for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, as well as heart diseases and metabolic disorders,” Lee said.

UWF is participating in doctoral level research and leading the way with the potential to serve as the catalyst that will inspire other institutions to study and practice new ways of caring for Alzheimer’s patients. It speaks to the caliber of the faculty at UWF and the type of research that is being conducted and supported by the University.

To learn more about the UWF Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, visit uwf.edu/ukcoh.

The University of West Florida Usha Kundu, MD College of Health has launched Argo Shield, an initiative to teach sun safety and promote skin cancer prevention among children in Escambia County this fall.

In Escambia County, the UV Index, which forecasts the risk of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, ranges from two to three in winter to 10+ in summer, and the rate of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer caused primarily by UV exposure, increased from 15.52 to 24.57 percent 2004 to 2014 according to the Florida Cancer Data System. In response to these findings, Argo Shield aims to provide proactive education on proper skin protection from the sun and increased awareness regarding strategies to reduce the risk of skin cancer in the local community.

Students in the UWF School of Nursing are presenting messaging and activities to approximately 4,000 students in early childhood centers, elementary and middle schools in Escambia County, as well as individuals who attend UWF outdoor sporting events.

“The Argo Shield project demonstrates one of the goals of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, which is to teach students while improving the health of the public,” said Dr. Brandy Strahan, interim associate dean of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. “We live in a prime area for sun damage and skin cancer. The Argo Shield message reminds people of the risk, and the product affords them the opportunity to start preventing sun damage immediately.”

UWF students recently visited Bratt Elementary School, and additional visits are planned to Ferry Pass Middle School, Holm Elementary School and Bailey Middle School this fall. Using the National Environmental Education Foundation SunWise curriculum, they will provide age-appropriate material and teach children the importance of protecting their skin from the sun. They will demonstrate proper sunscreen application, play learning games and provide hand outs, hats, sunscreen and lip balm, as well as a magnet and brochure for students to share with their families.

“This program was a wonderful opportunity for our students at Bratt Elementary to learn the importance of protecting their skin and eyes from the UV rays,” said Karen Hall, principal of Bratt Elementary. “The activities were age appropriate and enjoyable for all students. We appreciate the interest the UWF Usha Kundu, MD College of Health and nursing program has shown in educating the children in the north end of Escambia County.”

Casandra Waller, Ed.S., physical education, health, wellness and driver education specialist for Escambia County School District, said the program helps in meeting the physical education benchmarks for Florida, which include the topic of sun safety and understanding the importance of protecting the body from harmful sun rays.

“This is a great opportunity for students to have sun safety reinforced by someone other than their physical education teacher,” Waller said. “By educating kids on how to be proactive at a young age, we can hopefully help them in preventing skin cancer later in life. Most people don’t realize that most skin damage is done in our younger years, and this program will help empower children to take initiative in protecting their skin.”

At the UWF Education Research Center for Child Development, an early learning center on the UWF campus, children and families will receive an educational toolkit on healthy sun behaviors. Sunscreen dispensers will be placed near the exits to outdoor play areas at the center.

The UWF Usha Kundu, MD College of Health also distributes information and sunscreen samples during tailgating events for UWF home football games.

Argo Shield is currently funded by a $10,000 grant from Florida Blue. Evaluation measures and qualitative feedback will help determine the feasibility for continuing and potentially expanding the curriculum.

For more information about the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, visit uwf.edu/ukcoh.

Pensacola – A room of 24 middle- and high-school students listened as an adult relayed the details of a simulated bus crash. Then, students divided into five teams to solve the mystery of how the pretend accident occurred.

The students role-playing for the game were participating in a five-day summer camp at the University of West Florida. The camp is called CRASH, which stands for “Careers Revolving Around Science and Health.”

The camp is put together to introduce students to professions associated with the health-related programs within the Usha Kundu, MD, College of Health. As participants did activities or listened to presentations by faculty, they had a chance to develop a deep understanding of the role of numerous health-related professions.

“CRASH Camp is in its second year, and it originated as a collective project from representatives in each unit in the College of Health,” said Dr. John Todorovich, professor of exercise science and community health, who coordinated the camp. “In particular, we were interested in providing students who are interested in health-related professions with an exciting and meaningful opportunity to interact with the faculty in the college and to learn about different health professions.”

The hands-on structure of the camp followed the guidelines of high-impact learning, which is designed to engage students directly rather than have them learn from traditionally listen-to lecture sessions.

“It was so cool when we went to the nursing simulation lab. Nurses really do a lot more than I ever knew about, and the atmosphere is extremely high stress, too,” said Morgan Adams, 15, of Pace High School.

Adams wants to have a career as a pharmacist.

“Throughout the week, I learned the importance of medicine in treating different diseases,” she said.

In the simulation lab, nursing faculty, athletic training department faculty and UWF nursing students and athletic training students led campers through five rotations. They included several that featured high-tech medical mannequins. Everyone discussed the SBAR method of communication, which stands for “situation, background, assessment and recommendation.”

“A lot of things are happening at one time,” said Jaycie Coffey, 13, of Ferry Pass Middle School. “You have to focus and be observant.”

Besides playing the role of nurse, the students spent the week enacting numerous other health-related professions and simulating their duties while learning about the responsibilities of each position.

Rotations, which were associated with programs in the College of Health, included psychologists, medical lab technicians, exercise scientists, and healthcare administrators among others.

Each experience provided participants with clues relating to the cause of the simulated bus crash. On the last day of the camp, each camper contributed to a group presentation about a theory to explain exactly what caused the crash.

“I enjoyed the teamwork involved in trying to solve the case,” said Amanda Taylor, 13, a student at Escambia Virtual School. “We consulted about everything from what might have caused certain wounds to who was actually in the bus and who was in another vehicle involved in the crash. You really had to pay attention.”

Pensacola – Ten students in a senior-level nursing class called Patient Centered Care III gather around a table. They are preparing to do a cardiopulmonary arrest scenario in the Nursing Skills & Simulation Learning Center at the University of West Florida School of Nursing.

The patient in the scenario is the fictional Mr. Shapiro, a high-tech mannequin that is part of the learning center’s instructional equipment. First, the students get a simulated hand-off report from which they learn the details of Mr. Shapiro’s condition. Then, they plan and prioritize his care.

As the nurses review and discuss protocols before the simulation lesson begins, Dr. Eric Greska, assistant professor of exercise science at UWF, readies his equipment.

He will hook up each nursing student to a physiological monitor called a Bioharness. The Bioharnesses monitor heart rate, respiration and heart rate variability throughout the simulations, or “sims” as the nursing students and instructors call these sessions in the learning center.

Five of the students perform during the cardiopulmonary simulation, and five students watch. After the scenario, the 10 students reunite for a debriefing session during which they critique the five students who took care of Mr. Shapiro.

“When you are in the actual simulation you are just thinking, assessing and reacting to what is going on right in front of you at that moment,” said Molly Funck, a senior majoring in nursing. “During the debriefing you start to worry about what you could have done wrong or what you forgot to do.”

This is the third semester Greska has monitored the nursing students during sims, and his data indicates the students are more stressed during the debriefing session when they are critiqued by their peers and instructors than they are during the actual simulation.

“I am not surprised that people were more nervous in the debriefing session,” said Angel Hankee, a senior who is majoring in nursing. “That is the time when you start to think about what you might have missed and what you should have done.”

The fact that the nursing students are more stressed in the debriefing session than they are in the actual simulation indicates that the nursing students feel accountable for their actions, which is a positive outcome, Greska said.

“Simulation is a rich experience for the students and instructors because it exposes learning needs,” said Dr. Jill Van Der Like, who is director of the Nursing Skills & Simulation Learning Center. “We hope to identify those learning needs and attend to them so our students graduate with the confidence they need to care for patients in the complex health care setting.”

Van Der Like and her colleague from the nursing school, Dr. Lela Hobby-Burns, went to the Human Patient Simulation Network World Conference in Tampa in the spring. There they presented a poster on several ways that technology intersects with teaching in nursing curricula. The Bioharness research that Greska supervised was one of the projects described on Van Der Like’s and Hobby-Burns’ poster, which received second place at the conference.

Next month, students from the UWF Departments of Social Work and Nursing will head to Guatemala for a service-learning trip as part of the UWF Emerge program. This program was created by the College of Education and Professional Studies to encourage faculty to integrate high-impact educational practices into course work.

“Two recognized high-impact practices are study abroad and service learning,” said Dr. Chris Cotten, assistant professor of social work and Emerge faculty fellow. “This trip is both a service learning and cultural enrichment experience for UWF students.”

The trip is preceded by a six-session class that provides students with background and context – featuring topics including the history, politics, economy and culture of Guatemala; Guatemala’s 36-year civil war; women’s issues; Guatemala’s healthcare system; migration; child protection and children’s issues ranging from malnutrition and international adoption to cleft lip and palate.

“Each student who participates in the trip will take two suitcases to Guatemala – the first is their own belongings; the second is packed with donations,” Cotten said. “We bring clothing, shoes, hygiene products, toothbrushes and toothpaste, toys – whatever we can collect.”

UWF students will travel with Hearts in Motion – an Indiana-based nongovernmental organization that has provided humanitarian services throughout Central and South America for more than 25 years.

The group will fly to Guatemala City on Friday, Aug. 5 and immediately travel to Zacapa in the rural, arid lowlands of eastern Guatemala. Starting Saturday, they will participate in daily service activities until their return on Aug. 14. Activities include:

– an educational forum on the campus of a Guatemalan social work program;
– clothing distribution at a local dump that is also an encampment;
– a visit to a Hearts in Motion-sponsored day care;
– a visit to Zacapa Municipal hospital and the Range of Motion Project, a clinic that creates free prosthetics for people with disabilities;
– visits to two senior citizen programs; and
– a visit to women’s empowerment/micro financing cooperative.

Thursday will be spent at Hearts in Motion’s compound in Gualán, which includes an orphanage, senior center and an inpatient Nutrition Center for malnourished children, where UWF students will participate in a weekly feeding for local children.

“Research shows that high-impact educational practices aid in retention of students and assist them in forging close relationships with faculty,” Cotten said. “Study abroad in a developing country such as Guatemala is a wake-up call to students regarding their status as privileged Americans, the effects of globalization and an opportunity to compare and contrast America’s social welfare system with that of a developing country.”

For the first time since the program began, nursing students are set to join social work students in 2016.

“The Emerge Guatemala trip is a natural fit for Nursing students because nursing is service driven – providing protection, promotion and optimization of health to individuals, families, groups, and communities,” said Dr. Brandy Strahan, assistant professor and director of the UWF BSN Program. “This trip will allows the Department of Nursing to implement our curriculum in an international setting that will immerse the students in an environment and health care system that is vastly different from the United States.”

Strahan hopes her students will gain knowledge and experience practicing nursing in a cultural system different from their own, gain increased global perspective and have the opportunity to apply public health services – teaching them the cultural humility and ethical responsibility required of those caring for people in a developing country.

Cotten says students who have participated in the program over the past three years consistently report the experience to be life changing.

“This trip opens the opportunity for students to experience another culture while doing activities that are meaningful and incredibly rewarding,” said Sandra Lechuga Corrales, who participated last year and will return in 2016 as Dr. Cotten’s assistant and interpreter.

“It demonstrates that, yes, we can all be agents of change. We tend to think that one person can hardly make a difference to decrease poverty and injustice in the world, but in this particular Emerge program, the student can see how one person can truly create change – one person at a time,” Lechuga Corrales said.

For more information on this and other Emerge programs, please visit uwf.edu/emerge.

Photo Credit: University of West Florida